Tangential views or computed tomography in suspected depressed skull fracture
- Report By: Magnus Harrison - Specialist Registrar
- Search checked by Steve Jones - Specialist Registrar
- Institution: Manchester Royal Infirmary
- Current web editor: Minnie Alexander - Senior Information Officer
- Date Submitted: 6th February 2001
- Date Completed: 6th February 2001
- Last Modified: 9th July 2002
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Status:
Green (complete)
Three Part Question
In [patients presenting with head injury and suspicion of depressed skull fracture] is [tangential x-ray or CT scan better] at [detecting depressed skull fracture]?Clinical Scenario
A 35-year-old man alleges that he has been assaulted. He claims that he was hit on the head with a hammer. He is only complaining of pain around the site of the injury. On examination there is haematoma present, but no laceration. Standard skull views reveal no bony injury. You suspect a depressed skull fracture and wonder whether a tangential x-ray of the site of the injury, or a CT scan would be better able to detect it.Search Strategy
Medline 1966-04/02 using the OVID interface.[exp skull fractures OR exp skull fracture, depressed OR ({skull.mp OR cranium.mp OR calvarium.mp} AND {fracture.mp AND depressed.mp})] AND [exp x-rays OR x-rays.mp OR roentgenogram.mp OR tangential.mp OR oblique.mp] AND [exp tomography, x-ray computed OR ct.mp OR tomography.mp OR ct scan$.mp] LIMIT to human AND English.